We use cookies to make sure that you get the best experience possible using our website. If you continue using our website without changing your settings, we’ll assume that you’re happy to receive all cookies on the Projects Abroad website. To find out more read our cookie policy.

Role: Work in sea turtle hatcheries, with captive breeding crocodiles and wildlife research

Main Research Focus: Conservation of sea turtles, crocodiles and native birds

Local Environment: Coastal

Accommodation: Volunteer house near to the beach

Price: From

What's included? Food, accommodation, transfers to and from our specified airport, transport to and from work where required, insurance, personal webpage, induction and orientation, 24/7 support

What's not included? Flights, visa costs, spending money

Length of placement: From 1 week

Start dates: Flexible

Our Conservation & Environment Project in Mexico is a unique placement that offers you the chance to work alongside local experts on a variety of conservation and environmental projects. You can get involved in working with sea turtles, help to protect their nests and eggs, and contribute directly to the conservation of these increasingly endangered creatures. Volunteers also have the opportunity to work closely with crocodiles and iguanas, and participate in important biodiversity studies whose data is used by researchers across the Americas.

This project would be ideal for anyone with an interest in nature and adventure. You will get to perform real hands-on work and learn about some fascinating wildlife, all the while making a positive impact in the field of conservation. You do not need previous experience to take part in this project. Volunteers are welcome on a gap year, a career break, for university research, or as part of a summer holiday.

What is my role on this Conservation & Environment project?

Volunteers on this project can take part in a wide variety of activities, including:

Turtle conservation: The turtle conservation project is based at the El Tortugario Centro Ecológico de Cuyutlan, located next to a lagoon where biodiversity studies are conducted. Volunteers will take part in night patrols along a 30 km stretch of beach to identify new turtle nests, collect sea turtle eggs in order to relocate them to a safe place, and keep an eye out for poaching activity. You will also collect information about the in situ or poached nests for research and statistical purposes. Volunteers will monitor the nests where the relocated eggs have been placed, and once the baby turtles have hatched, help clean the nests and release the hatchlings into the sea. Other duties include the cleaning of adult and hatchling sea turtle tanks, the cleaning of adult turtles and generally looking after their well-being - ensuring that they are well fed, unstressed, uninjured and measured and weighed once a month.

Assisting at a crocodile park: Volunteers will visit La Colorada Crocodile Center, in Cofradia de Morelos, once a week, and help to clean and maintain the pens, and the centre’s facilities. You will also be involved in taking biometric data and marking the crocodiles in nearby lagoons.

Caring for iguanas: Volunteers will help to feed baby and adult green iguanas, and maintain their enclosures.

Biodiversity studies: You will be required to monitor the presence and condition of wildlife in the Palo Verde estuary and El Chupadero lagoon, and maintain a register through direct observation and trap cameras for night surveillance. Volunteers will also monitor and collect data on the state of nearby mangrove forests, help grow mangrove seedlings in a greenhouse, and reforest areas where the mangrove forest has been damaged or removed.

Educational and environmental outreach: Volunteers will take part in environmental education initiatives by visiting schools and running environmental awareness campaigns in nearby communities.

Community beach clean-ups: You will spend some afternoons collecting rubbish and debris from the beaches.

What are the aims of this Conservation & Environment project?

The aims and objectives of this project involve the conservation and reintroduction of various species of wildlife. We are also involved in biodiversity studies. Conservation sites in Mexico are protected by SEMARNAT (The Department of Environmental Affairs and Natural Resources). In recognition of our commitment to conservation we have been entrusted to manage a section of coastline stretching 24km.

One of the conditions of our agreement with SEMARNAT is that we undertake significant scientific research on the coastline. We have a wide range of established and new projects which survive thanks to our volunteers. The three main species we work to conserve are Olive Ridley turtles, American crocodiles and Morelet’s crocodiles.

Since 2006 we have also been working at a lagoon called "El Chupadero". Following several years of data collection by the volunteers the area was declared a Ramsar site in March 2009. A Ramsar site is awarded by the Ramsar Convention. They recognise wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity. This is one of the most important titles a protected area can receive. It is testament to the hard work and effort put in by volunteers and staff.

Where will I live on this project?

Volunteers will be accommodated in a shared house close to both the town centre and the beach. Interestingly enough, the beach has black sand due to volcanic activity. The accomodation is situated about 1 km from the turtle conservation centre, making for an easy commute to work, and is also a few kilometres away from a small resort town. In your time off, you will have a chance to experience all that Mexico has to offer. The house has several single and shared bedrooms, as well as a communal kitchen and a swimming pool. You will be required to help with some basic maintenance and cleaning at the house.

You can join the Conservation & Environment project in Mexico for one, two or three weeks if you don't have time to join us for four weeks or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely on a variety of conservation activities please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period. Volunteers joining the Conservation & Environment project for just one week should arrive at a weekend.

Some of the media Projects Abroad has featured in: The Times, The Guardian, EL DIARIO, San Francisco Chronicle, Newsweek, Ok! Magazine, The New York Times, The Vancouver Sun, ELLE, BBC, CNBC, Travel and Leisure, BusinessWeek, The Irish Times